PMT DB
PMT DB
Week 17 Recap: Commanders Clinch, Joe Burrow's MVP Case, and Playoff Seedings
Week 17 is officially in the books, and the playoff picture is finally coming into focus. PFT is on cloud nine as the Washington Commanders are officially back in the dance after a gut-check win over the Falcons. Jaden Daniels did Jaden Daniels things, overcoming a shaky interception to lead a massive drive in overtime. While PFT is busy planning his Super Bowl parade, Big Cat is already looking ahead to potential matchups and the absolute chaos that is the NFC seeding.
The Joe Burrow MVP Movement
Cincinnati stayed alive in a game that was essentially a microcosm of their entire season. Joe Burrow dragged a struggling defense and questionable coaching through the mud to beat the Broncos in an overtime thriller. Big Cat and PFT are both officially on the Burrow for MVP bandwagon, arguing that team records shouldn't overshadow the most incredible statistical season we’ve seen in years.
Big CatJoe Burrow should win NFL MVP if he throws three more touchdowns in Week 18
If he throws three touchdown passes in week 18, it's gonna be unprecedented that a quarterback had the season he had and didn't end up winning the MVP...
Joe Burrow has now put up Tom Brady and Peyton Manning-level numbers, and PFT isn't letting the Bengals' potential absence from the postseason cloud his judgment on who the best player in football is right now.
PFT CommenterJoe Burrow is the NFL MVP regardless of whether the Bengals make the playoffs
I'm just gonna say it. Joe Burrow should be the MVP. I think regardless of if they make the Playoffs or not, Joe Burrow should be the MVP. He's been the best player. And that's, I know that's not what the, the award has become, but it should be... the award is what it says that it is originally, which is the best player, the most valuable player in the NFL.
Speaking of the Bengals, they are the team nobody wants to see in January. Big Cat thinks even the heavy hitters in the AFC are looking over their shoulders, despite what the regular-season standings might suggest.
Big CatThe Chiefs would much rather play the Bengals than the Bills in the playoffs
If you asked the Chiefs, who would you rather play the bills or the Bengals? It's definitely the Bengals. Their defense has been so bad all year. The Bills beat the Chiefs. Like I know that this like Burrowhead thing... if you're a Chiefs fan, I think most Chiefs fans probably think this: go ahead, let the Bengals in. 'Cause if they somehow upset the bills, that's an easier path.
Disaster in the Meadowlands and Indy
The Giants managed to pull off what Big Cat called the "worst win of all time" by beating the Colts. By winning, they successfully vaulted the Patriots into the number one pick and moved themselves further away from a franchise quarterback. Meanwhile, in Indianapolis, the seat under Chris Ballard has never been hotter. Big Cat didn't mince words about the state of the Colts' front office after they let a 14-point-per-game Giants offense hang 45 on them.
Big CatChris Ballard should be fired by the Colts
Chris Ballard. ... Since 2017 there have been seven winners of the AFC South. ... The Indianapolis Colts have won it zero times. It is the most combustible division that you can win year to year. And Chris Ballard's teams have not won it a single time. ... His teams just fall apart.
Big CatIf Chris Ballard is not fired, the Colts will miss the playoffs next season
If Chris Ballard sticks around, if they don't change anything for the Colts, I'd like to make a prediction that the Colts will finish 8-9 or 9-8 and miss the playoffs.
Fraud Watch and NFC Contenders
The Vikings continue to prove everyone wrong, and Sam Darnold has officially shed the "ghosts" of his past. With 14 wins under his belt, the conversation in Minnesota has shifted from "who is the bridge guy?" to "how much do we pay Sam?"
Big CatThe Vikings must keep Sam Darnold after this season, potentially by using the franchise tag
Sam Darnold's. I I saw there was a report that there, I mean there're basically they have to keep him at this point. Yeah. Maybe franchise tag him. He's been awesome.
While the Vikings are soaring, Big Cat is officially out on the Packers as a legitimate Super Bowl threat. Despite Jordan Love's flashes, the inability to beat the elite teams in the NFC has the Bears' superfan feeling unusually confident about the playoff field.
Big CatI am not worried about the Packers at all
I'm not worried about the Packers at all. ... They're a good team. I think though they're not an elite team. They are 0 and 5 against the best teams in the NFC. That's the Vikings, the Eagles and the Lions. ... It just doesn't look as smooth as you would like it to look going into the playoffs.
He’s also extending that lack of fear to the West Coast. Despite his pinky being on the line for a Rams playoff run, the lack of first-quarter scoring and a sputtering offense has Big Cat feeling safe.
Big CatI am not scared of the Rams in the playoffs
I'm not scared of the Rams, even though I have my pinky on the line. I think their offense is like broken... they are now 11 straight games without scoring in the first quarter. ... I just don't think they're a complete team that can win the Super Bowl.
Fastest 2 Minutes and The Duck of Destiny
The guys broke down the rest of the slate with the usual Fastest 2 Minutes energy. The Buccaneers' blowout of the Panthers featured a literal duck on the field that seemingly sparked a blocked punt. Big Cat is convinced this waterfowl is the key to a deep playoff run in Tampa.
Big CatThe duck that appeared on the field during the Buccaneers game is a good luck charm that could lead them to a Super Bowl win
Get that duck. If you wanna win a Super Bowl, don't eat the duck. Actually, now that I'm thinking about it, get the duck. Put it in a, put it in a mascot, you know, bin. I don't even know. Cage. Have it on the sideline. That duck is vibes that could win you a Super Bowl.
In the AFC East, the Jets continue to be a disaster. Memes is officially done with the Ayahuasca era and is ready for a veteran coach who knows how to handle a locker room, even if it means bringing in a familiar face from Green Bay.
MemesI would take Mike McCarthy as the Jets' next head coach in a second
I'd take Mike McCarthy in a second. I mean, he went 12 and 5 up until this year for the past four seasons. ... He's gotta get in line. No more Ayahuasca.
Bowl Season and Looking Ahead
To wrap up the show, the guys hit on Who's Back, featuring Alex Ovechkin's pursuit of Gretzky and a legendary club hockey upset. They also touched on the controversy surrounding Cam Ward sitting out the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl, with Big Cat offering a staunch defense of the Miami quarterback.
Big CatEveryone complaining about Cam Ward sitting out the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl is a loser
Anyone who was upset about Cam Ward is a loser and they're just basically looking for something to be angry about. ... He's also got millions of dollars on the line if he gets hurt. I don't understand it. ... Bowl games don't really mean anything and it's entertainment and it's kind of stupid but it's also fun.
As we head into the New Year, the focus shifts to the Rose Bowl and the quarterfinals. Big Cat is siding with the Buckeyes, mostly because he can't get behind the Ducks' fashion choices on the big stage.
Big CatOhio State will beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl
The Rose Bowl's gonna be awesome. I think I'm gonna take Ohio State in that game. And it's mostly based on the uniforms that Oregon picked. I didn't really like 'em, I thought they should have done more classic.
Max might be having a mental breakdown over the Eagles potentially playing the Packers, but at least PFT has 11 wins to keep him warm at night.
